Growth & Innovation

Moving from MS Dynamics to Acumatica

Microsoft Dynamics SL is a mid-market ERP product that integrates financial management specifically designed for project- and service-based companies.

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Watch: Acumatica vs Microsoft Dynamics SL

The Background

Microsoft Dynamics SL, although a strong mid-market ERP product, faces several challenges:

It relies on an aging client-server architecture and necessitates Microsoft SharePoint for cloud operations.
To fully utilize its capabilities, additional Microsoft products like CRM, SharePoint, and Project Server are required.
Its older system architecture poses limitations in modern technological environments such as cloud deployment, contemporary development tools for customizations, and CRM integration.

Users may experience slower innovation relative to their maintenance investment. Microsoft has recommended that users transition to Dynamics 365 Business Central for optimal benefits.

Unfortunately, there is no direct migration path from SL to Business Central, Microsoft’s sole true-cloud mid-market ERP product, requiring a fresh implementation on a different ERP platform.

Microsoft has ceased active marketing of Dynamics SL, with development and support now outsourced.

Acumatica offers an integrated ERP and CRM solution deployable on-premises or in the cloud. Its pricing model is based on system resources rather than user count, ensuring scalability with unlimited users as businesses expand.

We believe Acumatica delivers unparalleled value, performance, functionality, and user-friendliness for small- and medium-sized enterprises. When selecting an ERP system, including ours, we advise thorough due diligence. Understand your business needs for the next three to five years to choose the right ERP system for your company’s present and future requirements.

Note: John Howell, CEO of Solomon from 1983-1999 and co-founder of Acumatica, designed Acumatica to resonate with those who appreciate Dynamics SL’s functionality.

Feature Comparison

Functionality	Acumatica	Microsoft Dynamics SL
True cloud* (built for cloud)	✓	x
Full function ERP	✓	✓
Full relational database export	✓	✓
Flexible licensing options based on customer requirements	✓	✓
Multiple deployment options	✓	x
Scale as you grow	✓	x
Superior Return on Investment (ROI)	✓	x

Differentiators

True Cloud
Multiple Deployment Options
Scale as You Grow
ROI

“True cloud” means all functionality is accessible through the internet using a standard browser without the need for any additional software installation on the user’s device or additional software licensing. Acumatica works on-premises or in the cloud without additional equipment or software. Dynamics SL requires Microsoft SharePoint as a frontend for it to run in the cloud. Currently, the only true cloud option offered by Microsoft for SL users today is to give up SL entirely and reimplement (at significant expense) with Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central (formerly Dynamics NAV).

Technically, both products support cloud, on-premises, and hybrid configurations. However, Acumatica supports all three deployment options natively using a browser to access the system. Dynamics SL, on the other hand, requires SharePoint as a front-end to enable a cloud configuration. In addition, SharePoint requires user licensing, increasing TCO.

When choosing an ERP solution, you must consider not just your company’s current needs, but the future needs as well. Both products allow you to scale resources to support a growing company, but because Acumatica only charges by the computing power required and not by users, you can scale your equipment as you grow, allowing an unlimited number of users to access the system regardless of job function. Dynamics SL, on the other hand, incurs greater costs as your company grows and more employees need access to the system. Be aware of these costs and consider them in your final evaluation.

Acumatica has a much broader feature set than SL (e.g., payroll, warehouse management, industry-specific capabilities, document management, field service management, and more), which minimizes licensing, integration, and maintenance fees for 3rd party applications. Acumatica also charges by computing power used, not by user. Dynamics SL charges per user and these costs increase as your company grows. Further, Acumatica works natively in the cloud, while Dynamics SL requires a separate license for SharePoint for it to be cloud-enabled.